The following are eligible to receive a grant under this part:

(a) Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education that—

(1) Award baccalaureate degrees; and

(2) Qualify as minority institutions as defined in § 637.4.

(b) Public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education that—

(1) Award associate degrees;

(2) Qualify as minority institutions as defined in § 637.4;

(3) Have a curriculum that includes science or engineering subjects; and

(4) Enter into a partnership with public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees in science and engineering.

(c) Nonprofit science-oriented organizations, professional scientific societies, and institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees that—

(1) Provide a needed service to a group of minority institutions; or

(2) Provide in-service training to project directors, scientists, and engineers from minority institutions; or

(d) A consortia of organizations, that provide needed services to one or more minority institutions. The consortia membership may include—

(1) Institutions of higher education which have a curriculum in science or engineering;

(2) Institutions of higher education that have a graduate or professional program in science or engineering;

(3) Research laboratories of, or under the contract with, the Department of Energy;

(4) Private organizations that have science or engineering facilities; or

(5) Quasi-governmental entities that have a significant scientific or engineering mission.